Upstream IPA
French Broad River Brewing

Upstream IPAUpstream IPA
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From:
French Broad River Brewing
 
North Carolina, United States
Style:
Rye Beer
ABV:
5.9%
Score:
86
Avg:
3.81 | pDev: 9.97%
Reviews:
137
Ratings:
250
Status:
Active
Rated:
Aug 24, 2020
Added:
Sep 22, 2008
Wants:
  14
Gots:
  10
Formerly Rye Hopper

Rye hopper is an Asheville interpretation of an American rye Ale. The rye malt character is accompanied by a distinctively heady American hop profile and a smooth, bittersweet finish
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by prototypic:
Photo of prototypic
Reviewed by prototypic from Ohio

4.27/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
I can always count on kkipple to send me something new. Thanks, Dan!

Rye Topper pours a nice copper/amber color. It's clear, and looks a little orange when held to light. Carbonation looks to be very active, yielding a foamy, off-white head that's over three fingers tall. Eh. It's a little annoying. Needless to say, it takes a while to dissipate. Lacing was quite thick and sticky.

The nose is good. It kicks off with a nice caramel malt scent. There's a hint of toasted malt, as well. Rye is rather prominent and very effective. It's similar to a really interesting rye bread. There's a healthy amount of hops, as well. It certainly lives up to its name. The hops are noble-esque and citric. A little grapefruit and orange are noted. Alcohol isn't noticeable.

The flavor is very impressive. The caramel/toasted malt base is excellent. The toasted flavor is more prominent here, and blends well with sweet caramel. The spicy rye flavor is nothing short of tremendous. It's an excellent complement to the hops that emerge. The hops seem noble. There are some citrus grapefruit and orange flavors, but there are some floral and grassy notes. It's bitter, but not overly so. Alcohol is very light in the mix and goes largely unnoticed. It finishes spicy, bitter, and dry. Excellent!

Rye Hopper has a medium body that's surprisingly smooth. Carbonation is active, but the bubbles feel light. Nice job. Drinkability is extremely high in my book. This is damn tasty stuff. At sub-6% abv, it's inviting. I wish I had more than a bomber! No joke.

This is my first beer from French Broad Brewing Company, and I'm damn impressed. Rye Hopper has a ton of flavor crammed into a small package. The only small complaint I have is that the carbonation might be a tad high. It's not so noticeable since the bubbles feel small, but the head is annoying. Yes, I'm nitpicking it, I know. Excellent beer that's well worth seeking out. Thanks a ton, Dan!
Dec 25, 2010
More User Ratings:
Photo of clayrock81
Reviewed by clayrock81 from Florida

3.85/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Poured a copper-brown body with minimal head and lace down glass. The aroma is grassy and herbal with hints of malts. Smooth drinking beer, real easy to drink, still get a good grassy hop bite so not watery and the finish is crisp and clean. Not most flavorful IPA but one worth trying especially if you want something lighter and even sessionable.
Aug 24, 2020
 
Rated: 3.88 by richj1970 from Alabama

Nov 29, 2019
 
Rated: 3.7 by outdoor7or24 from Georgia

Oct 31, 2017
 
Rated: 3.93 by avisong from Virginia

Aug 12, 2017
 
Rated: 3.99 by brauseboof from South Carolina

Jun 11, 2017
 
Rated: 3.84 by sisterofba from Maryland

Apr 23, 2017
 
Rated: 3.75 by scottspencer from Indiana

Jul 15, 2016
 
Rated: 4.35 by Miles_in_beer_city from North Carolina

Dec 26, 2015
Photo of jmdrpi
Reviewed by jmdrpi from Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
22 oz bottle, no date

dark amber in color, slightly hazy. nice off-white layer of head. good lacing. earthy aroma, a bit of hop flavor. taste has a slight spicy bite, balanced by some malt sweetness. medium bodied, mouthfeel is a little sticky
Dec 10, 2015
 
Rated: 2.85 by Odysseyalien from New Jersey

Nov 24, 2015
 
Rated: 3.46 by hozersr from Pennsylvania

Sep 30, 2015
 
Rated: 3.8 by jbrnrdn

Jul 14, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by Eziel from Ohio

May 26, 2015
 
Rated: 3.64 by italianstallion from Wisconsin

May 23, 2015
 
Rated: 3.29 by Notacraftdrinker from Florida

Mar 31, 2015
 
Rated: 3.83 by Dave1999 from North Carolina

Mar 30, 2015
 
Rated: 3.27 by BGsWo22 from Texas

Mar 02, 2015
 
Rated: 3.85 by RochefortChris from North Carolina

Jan 04, 2015
 
Rated: 3.81 by BigGingDrinker from North Carolina

Dec 23, 2014
Upstream IPA from French Broad River Brewing
Beer rating: 86 out of 100 with 250 ratings